Sunday, January 14, 2018

Sri Ramakrishna: Some say that God has form and is not formless. Thus they start quarrelling. A Vaishnava quarrels with a Vedantist.

"One can rightly speak of God only after one has seen Him. He who has seen God knows really and truly that God has form and that He is formless as well. He has many other aspects that cannot be described.

"Once some blind men chanced to come near an animal that someone told them was an elephant. They were asked what the elephant was like. The blind men began to feel its body. One of them said the elephant was like a pillar; he had touched only its leg. Another said it was like a winnowing-fan; he had touched only its ear. In this way the others, having touched its tail or belly, gave their different versions of the elephant. Just so, a man who has seen only one aspect of God limits God to that alone. It is his conviction that God cannot be anything else.

(To the goswami) "How can you say that the only truth about God is that He has form? It is undoubtedly true that God comes down to earth in a human form, as in the case of Krishna. And it is true as well that God reveals Himself to His devotees in various forms. But it, is also true that God is formless; He is the Indivisible Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute. He has been described in the Vedas both as formless and as endowed with form. He is also described there both as attributeless and as endowed with attributes.

Do you know what I mean? Satchidananda is like an infinite ocean. Intense cold freezes the water into ice, which floats on the ocean in blocks or various forms. Likewise, through the cooling influence of bhakti, one sees forms of God in the Ocean of the Absolute. These forms are meant for the bhaktas, the lovers of God. But when the Sun of Knowledge rises, the ice melts; it becomes the same water it was before. Water above and water below, everywhere nothing but water. Therefore a prayer in the Bhagavata says: 'O Lord, Thou hast form, and Thou art also formless. Thou walkest before us, O Lord, in the shape of a man; again, Thou hast been described in the Vedas as beyond words and thought.' (Ref: BG 12.1-4)* But you may say that for certain devotees God assumes eternal forms. There are places in the ocean where the ice doesn't melt at all. It assumes the form of quartz."

Kedar: "It is said in the Bhagavata that Vyasa asked God's forgiveness for his three transgressions. He said: 'O Lord, Thou art formless, but I have thought of Thee in my meditation as endowed with form; Thou art beyond speech, but I have sung Thee hymns; Thou art the All-pervading Spirit, but I have made pilgrimages to sacred places. Be gracious, O Lord, and forgive these three transgressions of mine.'"

Sri Ramakrishna: "Yes, God has form and He is formless too. Further, He is beyond both form and formlessness. No one can limit Him."

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Bhagavad Gita on God with and without form:

BG 12.1 Arjuna said Those devotees who, ever steadfast, thus worship Thee and those also who worship the imperishable and the unmanifested which of them are better versed in Yoga? BG 12.2 The Blessed Lord said Those who meditate on Me by fixing their minds on Me with steadfast devotion (and) being endowed with supreme faith-they are considered to be the most perfect yogis according to Me. BG 12.3 Those, however, who meditate in every way on the Immutable, the Indefinable, the Unmanifest, which is all-pervading, incomprehensible, change-less, immovable and constant.- BG 12.4 By fully controlling all the organs and always being even-minded, they, engaged in the welfare of all beings, attain Me alone. Ref: https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

In earlier article, we had understood panchakośa-s in brief. Now, let us understand the food that nourishes these bodies. Panchakośa-s are often classified into 3 śarira-s - sthula, śukshma and kāraṇa śarira. Though kośa is loosely translated as ‘body’, it is actually ‘śarira’ that means a ‘body’. kośa means ‘container’. It collects and preserves something. English word for it is ‘sheath’. In order to avoid confusion, we will use saṃskrita words ‘kośa’ and ‘śarira’ instead of using the word ‘body’. 5 kośa-s are combined into 3 śarira-s (sthula, sukshma and kāraṇa śarira) based on their collective function. Hence when we say śukshma śarira it is a combination of prāṇamaya and mamomaya kośa. It does not include last two kośa-s - vijñānamaya and ānandamaya kośa-s which constitute kāraṇa śarira. Kāraṇa śarira is so called because it is the cause of creation of other śarira-s. Kāraṇa śarira does not die or is not destroyed until moksha. Kāraṇa śarira is said to store vāsanā-s. Ānandamaya kośa is born out of avidyā (ignorance). It’s nature is bliss. We all experience ānanda (bliss) in deep sleep without knowing what brings the ānanda. Ānandamaya kośa veils ānanda svabhāva of Brahman i.e. it does not reveal from where the ānanda is originating. Hence it is created from āvidyā. Due to veiling of svarūpa-jñāna (knowledge of the Ātmān), a person does sakāma-karma or karma with sense of doership. Karma done in such a way produces karma-phala. These karma-s are stored in kāraṇa śarira. Kāraṇa śarira is the cause (kāraṇa) of avidyā. It is the cause death and rebirth of 3 kośa-s - annamaya, prāṇamaya and manomaya, hence it is rightly called as ‘kāraṇa śarira’.

Sthula śarira has only one kośa - annamaya kośa. When we generally use the word ‘body’, it generally means physical body i.e. annamaya kośa. But since sthula śarira has only one kośa hence both kośa (sheath) and śarira (body) can be used interchangeably.

After brief explanation of kośa-s and śarira-s, let us understand what nourishes these kośa-s and śarira-s.

As a general rule, awareness of any kośa (except annamaya kośa) will increase the prāṇa śakti in them. Here prāṇa is not one of the 5 vayu-s (praṇa, vyāna, apāna, udāna and samāna), but śakti which cleanses and energizes. This śakti is said to have it’s own intelligence but can be directed by the will of practitioner.

Chāndogya Upaniṣad gives us the explanation as to how food affects us all in nourishing annamaya, prāṇamaya and manomaya kośa.

Chā. Up. 6.5.1 says, food that is eaten gets divided into 3 parts i.e. it becomes threefold. The coarsest part becomes faeces, that which is medium becomes flesh and the subtlest part becomes mind.

Śankara Bhāśya explains this sloka as -

Solid part becomes feaces.

The medium part of food gets transformed step by step into rasā, etc i.e. body fluids and then gets transformed into flesh.

The subtlest part of food reaches heart and from there it enters a nāḍī known as hitā nāḍī and brings into existence vāyu etc (5 prāṇa-s) and indriya-saṃgraḥ i.e. collection or aggregation of 5 senses and in this sense it becomes mind. It goes on to add to the development of mind. Chā. Up. Bhā. 6.5.1

Note: Here, the subtlest part is said to becomes mind. We will try to understand how ifood can become mind. The subtle part, which is prāṇa śakti through hitā nāḍī gets absorbed into śukshma śarira and mixes with indirya-s (5 senses). The śakti is stored in mind. This śakti strengthens mind. It nourishes the mind and becomes a part of mind. In this way, mind is created from the subtlest part of food.

Mind gathers information and experiences (feels and perceives) the world through indriya-s (5 senses). Since the subtlest part mixes with senses, hence the purity of senses is determined by the purity of tatva consumed. Experience of mind will depends upon the senses. Grosser the vibrations, gross will be the experience and so mind in turn will become gross. Similarly, gross mind will search for gross objects. In this way both indriya-s and mind are connected and with each other.

Depending upon food, vibrations of mind (mana) change into subtle or gross. In other words they constitute mind. This will be more clear after we refer other sloka-s. This is personal understanding of the author.

Chā. Up. Further says, water when enters body splits into 3 parts. The coarsest part becomes urine, the medium part becomes blood and the subtlest part becomes prāṇa - Chā. Up. 6.5.2

Ādi Śankara in his bhāśya says that by consuming teja (fire) in the form of Ghee, oil, etc, speech becomes clear and distinct (i.e. one can becomes a good orator)

In this way, mind is annamaya, prāṇa is jalamaya and speech (vāk) is tejomaya. It means, quality or purity of mind depends upon food (anna), quality of prāṇa depends upon jala and clarity of speech depends upon teja (fire, in the form of Ghee, oil, etc)

In next sloka, Ādi Śankara raises objection that

“Animals living on food (grains) alone, such as, the rat and the like, are possessed of Speech and of Life-breath (without taking water or oil); similarly, animals living on water alone, such as the fish, alligator and other animals living in the Ocean, are possessed of Mind and are endowed with Speech; similarly, it may be inferred that animals not taking any oils at all have prāṇa and Mind. If all this is so, then how can it be said that Mind is made up of food?”

To this āchārya replies – “This does not contradict our position. All things being triplicate in their constitution, everything is possible everywhere. As a matter of fact, no one eats food that is not triplicate in its constitution; nor does any one drink Water that is not triplicate, nor does any one eat Fire that is not triplicate in its constitution. So that for those who eat Food, such as, rats and the like,-there is nothing inappropriate in their being endowed with Speech and prāṇa”

Ref: Page 321-324 in English translation of Śankara Bhāśya by Ganganath Jha and pages 582-590 of Gita Press Hindi Translation of Śanakra Bhāśya.

Further it says, Mind consists of Food, prāṇa consists of Water, and Speech consists of Fire ...

In the next adhyāya (chapter), Chāndogya Upaniṣad says that the subtlest part of anything that is eaten or drunk rises upwards and reaches mind. Later it states that the puriest and subtlest part of food strengthens mind and is further divided into 16 kalā-s or qualities. More the qualities, more a puruṣa (person) becomes capable in many things like draṣṭā (observer, witness), shrotā (speaker, orator), mantā (thinking), boddhā (decision making, cognising), kartā (doer) and vijñātā (experiencer of truth, knower)

In other words, seeing, hearing, thinking, cognizing, moving, knowing and acting are possible only because of presence of śakti which rises up in the mind and strengthen it. If this śakti is absent or drains out, a person becomes powerless and looses these abilities.

In Chā. Up. 7.26.1, it is said that a Jñānī does everything by being established in ātmajñāna and so pervades all. He sees same ātmā in all beings and in this way becomes one with them. He experiences himself in everybody else. Earlier it is said that the subtlest parts of food i.e. jala, teja, prāṇa etc merge in ātmā only. This imples that Ātmā is the sole substratum of everything.

When the food is pure, antaḥkaraṇa becomes pure. (Antaḥkaraṇa consits of mana, buddhi, ahaṃkāra and chitta i.e. mind, intellect, ego and retention power or recitation power or memory). When antaḥkaraṇa becomes pure, then one attains steadfast, unshakable smriti (realisation of one’s true nature and staying rooted in this knowledge of ātmajñāna). As a result of constantly being rooted in one’s true nature all granthi-s (bondages, knots of karma) are destroyed. In this way vāsanā-s (dis-satisfied desires) are uprooted – this knowledge to transcend or rise from tamas to jyoti i.e. from ignorance to knowledge (truth) is passed on by Bhagavān Sanatkumāra to Devarṣi Nārada jī. Sanatkumāra jī is called as skanda (skanda means ‘giver of self knowledge’) - Chandogya Upanishad 7.26.2.

In this way, food strengthens mind and so it affects purity of mind. Purity of mind is important for purification of antaḥkaraṇa. Purified antaḥkaraṇa helps one retain the knowledge of ātmajñāna. Constant smriti (memory) of being rooted in ātmajñāna results into moksha. Such a jivanmukta sees Self in everybody, as his mind projects the reflection of his own Self (Brahman / ātman) onto others.

After briefly understanding how food helps nourish kośa-s and antaḥkaraṇa in general, which in turn helps progress spiritually, let us understand what nourishes 5 kośa-s one by one.

Sthula śarira - annamaya kośa

Annamaya kośa is the physical gross body. It’s nourishment is food. In general, local vegetables or fruits are suitable for consumption. They should be consumed fresh. Seasonal fruits are effective in protecting kośa-s when consumed fresh or eaten during their season. Food stored in cold storage are not good for health as they are said to have more of tamasa guṇa in them. Food must be taken as prescribed in Āyurveda. Śāstra-s like Suśruta-saṃhitā, Charaka-saṃhitā and Vāgbhaṭa-saṃhitā (works of Āchārya Vāgbhaṭa) are the three important texts that talk about ancient science of āyurveda. While Suśruta saṃhitā talks on both āyurveda and surgery, other two śāstra-s focuses on āyurveda. Āchārya Vāgbhaṭa is said to be disciple of Āchārya Charaka, and composed Ashtāṅga-saṅgraha (अष्टाङ्गसंग्रह) and the Ashtāngahridaya-saṃhitā (अष्टाङ्गहृदयसंहिता).

Āyurveda a vast subject, as it is an entire branch of medical science which requires 5 years of study in order to become an āyurvedic doctor. Traditionally, it is a life long learning science about not only annamaya kośa, but all 5 kośa-s. Since we are talking about nourishment of kośa-s, it is important to know what nourishes them and which way of life keeps kośa-s healthy. Hence, though āyurveda is a deep subject, and author himself is not well-versed in it to talk as an authority, still, we will briefly touch the subject and give pointers for further study to the interested readers.

According to Āchārya Vāgbhaṭa, 85% of diseases can be cured without a doctor, only 15% of diseases require a doctor. Āyuveda not only focuses on cure, but also on prevention, as the saying goes, ‘Prevention is better than cure’ is indeed an āyurvedic mantra. Hence, learning basic principles of āyurveda and imbiding them in our day to day life is important. Āyurveda focuses on healthy living. It integrates in our day-to-day life. This is why one must know what to eat, when to eat and how to eat, when to drink water, when and which fruits should be consumed, when should one drink cow’s milk or buffalo’s milk. In varying degrees of sickness like cold & cough, fever, physical injury from bruises to broken bones and organ malfunction or failure what should be done - are all mentioned in āyurveda.

For day-to-day living, āyurveda has mentioned different types of dośa-s or defects. Āyurveda focuses on vāta, pitta and kapha. Any imbalances in any one of them causes dis-ease or imbalance in body.

Diagnosis method in ayurveda

Diagnosis of illness is done by doing nāḍī parikshā or pulse disgnosis along with logical questioning. Nāḍī parikshā can accurately diagnose physical, mental and emotional imbalances as well as diseases. Nāḍī parikshā can identify dośa-s (defects, imbalance) in vāta, pitta and kapha. Accuracy of reading nāḍi-s depends upon the concentration level and skills of practitioner. Nāḍī vigyāna is a deep science. It involves study of Dhamani-s (arteries) and Sira-s (veins).

It is well admired fact that Maharshi Suśruta managed to trace even minute channels present in the body even when they were very difficult to be traced with naked eyes. He was able to recognize even the pores in it. It was calculated that there were about 700 sira-s (veins), 200 dhamani-s (arteries), which could be easily enumerated but when the minute sira-s (veins) and dhamani-s (arteries) were counted with their tributaries and branches, their number was estimated to be the same as the number of hair follicles which was distributed thoughout the body. Approximately their number was calculated as 2,95,556 (two lakh ninety thousand five hundred and fifty six).

In addition to the above concept, there is a unique concept of ‘viruddha āhāra’ in āyurveda. ‘Viruddha’ means that which is of opposite nature. ‘Āhāra’ here can be translated as ‘food to be consumed’. This means there are foods with different types of guṇa-s (properties / characteristics) and those with opposite guṇa-s should not be consumed together. They are incompatible with each other when consumed together.

Viruddha āhāra is categorised in 18 parts as per Āchārya Charaka.

1. Deśa Viruddha – Incompatible in Place – Intake of dry and strong substances such as strong wine, in deserts; oily and cold substance in marshy land is place contradictory diet habit, because, in deserts, it causes extreme increase of Vātā and Pitta and in marshy land, it causes extreme increase of Kapha Dośa.

3. Agni Viruddha – Digestion contradictory diet – Intake of heavy-to-digest food when the power of digestion is low (mandāgni); intake of light food when the power of digestion is very high (Tīkshṇāgni). Similarly intake of food at various with irregular and normal power of digestion fall under this category.

9. Koṣṭha Viruddha (कोष्ठ विरुद्ध) – Bowel specific diet contradiction –
Administration of a mild purgative in a small dose for a person of with hard bowel (Krura Koṣṭha) and administration of strong purgatives food for a person with soft bowel (Mrudu Koṣṭha)

11. Krama Viruddha – Order specific contradiction – If a person takes food before his bowel and urinary bladder are clear (empty) or when he does not have appetite or after his hunger has been highly aggravated.

16. Hṛdaya Viruddha – Palatability :- Any substance which is not pleasant in taste.

17. Sampat Viruddha – Richness of quality:- Intake of substance that are not ripe, over-riped or purified.

18. Vidhi Viruddha – Rules of eating :- Taking meals in public

Examples of viruddha āhāra are given in Charaka Saṃhitā and in Āchārya Vāgbhaṭa’s works. An example of viruddha āhāra mentioned in Āchārya Vāgbhaṭa’s works is, milk and onion should not be consumed together, as it may cause skin problems. Some examples involve mātrā i.e. percentage of one of the components. An example of mātrā-viruddha āhāra is intake of honey and ghee in equal proportion.

Before, we go further, let us understand some thing about two important nāḍī-s – iḍā and pingalā, present in prāṇamaya kośa. They are related to digestion. As mentioned in Yoga Yajñavālkya, chapter 4 sloka-s 29-34, both Īḍā and pingalā begins from from kanḍasthana which is near base of spine, in between svādhisthāna and manipur chakra and ends in nostrils. Īḍā ends on the left nostril while pingalā nāḍī is on right nostril.

At a given time, only one nāḍi is active. Īḍā is cold, as moon moves through it and is also known as chandra nāḍī. Pingalā is warm as sun moves through it and is also known as sūrya nāḍī. Chandra Nāḍi takes one to pitṛ loka (loka of ancestors), while sūrya nāḍi takes on to deva loka. Suṣumnā nāḍī leads to moksha.

As time passes on, some food items may become obsolete as life style changes or we may not consume them regularly. As a general principle, it is said that sūryakiraṇa or Sun’s rays help in digestion. Hence one should eat food after sunrise and before sunset. In order to digest food, sūryanāḍī (pingalā / hot nāḍi which ends on right nostril) has to be activated which, in case of healthy person, activates immediately upon consuming food. After consuming lunch (not dinner), one must rest for about 20-40 minutes. One may even take a 20 minute nap. For those doing hard work, it is advised to take rest for 45 minutes after taking lunch and then continue to do work after 45 minutes to fecilitate digestion. This helps boost working efficiency. After sunset, digestive power decreases, hence it is not advised to have heavy dinner in the night and definitely not in late night. In fact after dinner, one must not take rest for atleast 2 hours. Biochemistry of body (and it’s enzyme secretion) is different in night than in day. Just in case you are not able to follow diet instructions, it is advisable to sit in vajrāsana for atlest 10 minutes after consuming food, especially in night after dinner. Vajrāsana is the only āsana allowed to be practised immediately after consuming food. Āyurveda also talks about the amount of water to be consumed. In general, quantity of water that can be taken is - take your weight, divide by 10 and then subtract 2 from the result. This many liters of water can be had per day. For example, if your weight is 70 kgs, then, 70 / 10 = 7 – 2 = 5 litres of water should be consumed daily. However, some may need less quantity of water than calculated by above formula. It all depends upon prakriti, living conditions and weather.

Āyurveda and healthy living is a vast topic. One must consult qualified āyurvedic practitioner for proper guidance. For those interested, following links are very useful - http://www.planetayurveda.com/virudh-ahara.htm is a site that explains attributes of food, and types of viruddha āhāra along with examples.

All credits about āyurveda to above mentioned three links. In a nutshell, food of annamaya kośa or sthula śarira is sātvika āhāra, be it solid or liquid. Quality of food not only affects sthula śarira, but also śukshma śarira.

Let us continue to understand which type of food nourishes other bodies. Śukshma śarira - prāṇamaya and manomaya kośa-s

Prāṇamaya kośa is permanently connected to annamaya kośa. It has 72000 nāḍī-s and many chakra-s. Śiva Samhitā, one of the three classical texts on Haṭha Yoga, in chapter 2, sloka 13 says, there are 3,50,000 i.e. three lakh fifty thousand nāḍī-s, out of which 14 are important, out of 14, 3 are important and out of 3, iḍā, pingalā and suṣumṇa, 1 suṣumṇā is the best. Out prāṇamaya kośa has many chakra-s. There are chakra-s in sole, palm, jaws, etc. There are also chakra-s for various glands and important organs. Out of these, 7 chakra-s are given importance as each chakra connects to one loka. Prāṇamaya kośa is dependent upon prāṇa or energy. Prāṇa is absorbed from atmosphere by chakra-s and gets distributed to energy counterparts of internal organs, blood and other body parts. Similarly used up prāṇa is released out of kośa through these chakra-s. Along with nāḍī-s and chakra-s, there are certain śakti kendra-s or energy spots like half round inverted disc in brain near pineal gland which showers nectors. Milky white, bright white and golden bright śakti bindu-s or spheres located at various points like before left and right eye, left and right ears, etc and are ascribed to certain loka-s like indra loka, pitr loka, yama loka, etc. These descriptions are found in Śastra-s like Śiva Samhitā, Uttara Gītā and Aṇu Gītā. Since all these s;akti kendra-s are connected via nāḍī-s, and prāṇa śakti flows through these nāḍī-s, it is important to have pure prāṇa śakti. Prāṇa is formed from food and is absorbed from surrounding atmosphere. Hence both should be clean and pure.

As said earlier, prāṇamaya kośa also gets some prāṇa from the prāṇa śakti of the food that we eat. Food that grows in air like fruits contains high percentage of ākaśa tatva. Underground food contains tamasa guṇa as it has high percentage of prithvi tatva. That is why fruits are considered as sātvika āhāra or sātvika bhojana. This is not to say that underground foods should not be eaten. Our own sthula śarira or annamaya kośa (physical body) is made up of tamasa guṇa. Underground food like herbs have medicinal properties. Garlic, ginger, onion, etc are good for health and so are other foods like carrot. They help protect physical body and strengthen it. Anyone doing physical hardwork like labourer needs these foods. Those who do light work may not eat them. However, they are not to be taken in excess. Their quantity is limited as compared to other food that we eat. Only onion is used in large quantities taht too not daily. Some sampradaya-s like vaiṣṇava and some brāhmaṇa-s prohibit consumption of underground food like onion and garlic. Jains also strictly observe this rule.

Each part of food has a subtle element. It has it’s own prāṇamaya kośa. Plants also have emotions. So they have manomaya kośa, but not developed to the extend to which it is developed in animals and humans. Plants also like to multiply and so grow beautiful flowers with pleasent aroma and fruits to attract birds and animals. Flowers attract bees and insects. Flowers have pollen grains that are necessary for multiplication of plants. When ripe, both flowers and fruits drop off on their own. Insects carry pollen grains to another plant and complete the process of polination. When fruits are eaten and seeds are eother discarded or are excreted by animals, and they fall on earth. Animals walk over it and press it in the ground. If seed finds suitable environment, it begins to grow and ends up growing in a big tree. Yet, since fruits and vegetables are eaten and they have life, so we pray to them to forgive us as we consume them for survival. We pray to them to protect our śarira-s. Such a prayer from heart sends positive vibrations and affects śukshma śarira of plants, trees, crops, flowers and fruits. Prāṇa becomes subtle and easily integrates into our prāṇamaya kośa after it is consumed. In simple words, food consumed after prayer and with gratitute help protect our śarira-s.

Animals too have sthula, śukshma and kāraṇa śarira. However, unlike plants, animals do not have the ability to regrow body parts. They do not depend upon others for multiplication of their kind. Unlike plants, animals do have central nervious system. They have better developed śukshma śarira then plants. When they are butchered for taste of tongue, they secret stress harmones which stay in the body even after jīva painfully leaves the body. They wish to live and try their best to escape from the clutches of death. In this struggle, they leave behind emotions of pain and distress. These emotions, along with stress harmones stay in the dead body even after death. When we eat non-veg food, these emotions and chemicals enter into our system. If animal has any disease, it gets transferred to the one who is eating it. In modern slaughter houses, live stock is given anitibiotics so that they remain healthy. Anitbiotics are to be discontinued before 3 weeks of butchering so any antibiotic present in system gets discarded naturally. If this precaution is not taken, there are chances that antibiotic remains in the body when it is cooked. Such meat when eaten will transfer this antibiotic to the one who eats them. This is very unhealthy for both mind and body. This is the reason why a yogī should never take any non-veg, else s/he cannot progress spiritually.So, the nourishment of prāṇamaya kośa is sātvika prāṇa. Any food that balances vāta, pitta and kapha is also helpful for prāṇamaya kośa as these vāyu-s are present in prāṇamaya kośa. When prāṇamaya kośa gets sātvika prāṇa, it begins to increase in size, shines and radiates goodness and positivity. It activates chakra-s, cleanses nāḍī-s thereby purifying the entire nervous system of prāṇamaya kośa. Prāṇamaya kośa also absorbs prāṇa from atmosphere. Hence living in a sātvika vātāvaraṇa (atmosphere) is advisable. Sātvika vātāvaraṇa is found in holy places, in pūjā room, in temples, near samādhi of saints. It is created by intense meditation, be it bhakti, jñāna or yoga. Sātvika vātāvaraṇa is also created by diligent study, contemplation and chanting of shāstra-s, singing of devotional hymns either alone or in group. Blessings of a saint also purifies prāṇa of a particular place. All those present in the vicinity where these activities regularly conducted are purified. Prāṇamāya kośa is discussed in details hereAn article on non-violence and vegetarianism can be found here.

Manomaya kośa

manomaya kośa depends upon thoughts and emotions for it’s nutrition. We all have a habit of thinking on a subject. However thinking in right direction is what people do not do, as they are not aware of what the right direction is. Here the purpose of life comes into play. Why are we here?, what is our purpose of life?, what is the goal of our life? how can we be free of pain?, how can we be eternally happy?, how can we avoid death?, etc. Answers to these questions are found in śāstra-s and in teachings of greats saints. Reading śāstra-s and contemplating on works of greats saints help us develop all our kośa-s. Clear, concrete thoughts have a clear shape and they are prominent in manomaya kośa of a saint. It influences all those who are within it’s vicinity.

Manomaya kośa strengthens when one uses logic. Sanātana saṃskriti has long history of polemical debates. In fact one branch, nyāya śāstra is dedicated to logic. Then there is nirukta which goes further dēp into the subject. We also have Maharṣi (Maharshi) Pāṇiṇi’s aṣṭādhyāyi and Maharṣi Patanjali’s Mahābhāśya. There are further commentaries nad sugcommentaries like laghu-soddhānta kaumudi which are purely dedicated to grammer. Sanātana dharma is the only dharma where one is allowed to ask any ype of question and have a debate on it. Anyone can formulate any philosophy and write commentaries in support of his claim. Ofcourse he has to defend his position in debate in order to establish his philosophy. We are also allowed to raise question and attack even the basic rule of debate. This can be seen in the works of khaṇḍana-khaṇḍa-khādhya, a famous polemical work by the great logician Śrī Harśāchārya (Āchārya Harśa). He attacked basic rules of debate of nyāya school of thought. The result was collapse of the entire nyāya philosophy. Later another great logician Śrī Gangeśa Upādhāyaya establish a new nyāyā philosophy, now known as navyā nyāya. He was so impressed with the logic of khaṇḍana-khaṇḍa-khādhya that he went on to write a commentary on it. Such rich culture, that there is tolerance and respect for new view or opponent’s view. This can only be found in sanātana dharma. Such is our ancient rich culture, our glory and our pride. One can go as far as logic takes one. Deep thinking, exploring the inner universe of other kośa-s by the way of yoga and tantra are only found in dharma originating from the land of Bhārata.

While rational thinking and discussions of śāstra-s using hair splitting logic develops manomaya kośa, nurturing emotions is also very important. Hence listening to stuti-s, stotra-s dedicated to our devī-devatā-s are very important. Clear thoughts and emotions help one stay bonded with society. Emotions help us understand others. It teaches us to respect others and take care of loved and young ones so that their emotional needs are fulfilled. This helps them grow emotionally along with you and make them as much sensitive as you are. Fulfilling emotional needs is aas much important as sharpening intellect. Along with IQ, EQ (emotional Quotient) is equally important. Dry logic is useless and has less effective if it is not accompanied with emotions which bring life to the topic and give inspiration. Along with thoughts emotions shape and transform our heart. If emotional needs are not fulfilled, a person may feel loneliness and s/he cannot feel connected to anyone, not even to family members. Loneliness gives rise to irritation, frustration and even depression. It makes one loose control over one’s mind. Unfulfilled emotional need is one of the reasons of increasing crime rate where the emotional storm takes control of one’s mind, blinds intellect and forces one to do unimaginable things. At times, such a person is not aware of what s/he is doing.

Without emotions, pure logic is nothing but dry philosophy, no matter how much impressive it is. If we do not pour our heart into the logic, one cannot progress after a certain point. Vichāra i.e. chintan, manan and nidhidhyāsana and bhāva like divine love, devotion, faith, surrender, peace (divya prema, bhakti, shraddhā, samarpaṇa, śānti) etc are very important for developing mono maya kośa.

However, excessive thinking on material issues lead one to clog manomaya kośa, manomaya kośa’s sahasrāra and so sahasrāra chakra of prāṇama kośa. Even thinking too much on śāstra-s and too much tarka may lead to blockage of sahasrāra chakra of both manomaya nd prāṇamaya kośa-s. We must learn śāstra-s with a goal to get more clarity and direction, else the focus of reading śāstras will change from moksha to material gain for example reading to be victorous in śāstrārtha (polemical debates). Contemplation of the essence of śāstra-s, meditation, svādhyaya (self study), inner reflection, devotional songs, chanting of mantra-s with bhāva (deep devotion, faith and surrender), chanting of veda-s, etc are the best nourishment of śukshma śarira.

Vichāra or tarka (logic) is to be used in such a way that it gives clarity, right direction and helps us transend duality. Bhāva for Īśvara should be so strong that our heart stays rooted in Īśvara and always devoted to his lotus feet. kāraṇa śarira consists of vijñānamaya and ānadamaya kośa.

Nourishment of these kośa-s is done by contemplation on Īśvara, śāstra-s and on words of a guru. Being aware of them, releasing old karma-s is a way to liberate it. This is done by japa, tapa and nidhidhyāsana. Japa, tapa and nidhidhyāsana help one stay connected with Īśvara. It is the best way to stay detached to the society and work only to finish off prārabhdha karma. Not building any more karma helps both of these kośa-s, especially vijñānamaya kośa. trengthening of manomaya kośa indirectly helps build vijñānamaya kośa.

Since vijñāmaya kośa is one of the kāraṇa śarira and since kāraṇa śarira stores all karma-s of past, diseases or ādhi (mental diseases) are originaed from these kośa-s and they appear in manokaya kośa and then they are transferred to annamaya through prāṇamaya kośa. Hence keeping healthy kāraṇa śarira is very important. Ānandamaya kośa

Ānandamaya kośa brings ānandānubhūti (bliss). In tatva Bidha, Ādi Śankara Bhagavadpāda says, ānandamaya kośa is created from avidyā (ignorance of our true nature). Hence acts as a veil between us and Brahman and so to hides Brahman from us. On other words, it blocks realisation of our true nature. Hence one must rise above this kośa too and become aware of one’s svarūpa (true nature) which is Ātmān or Brahman.

It is also a kośa for intuitions. A developed Yogī does not need to logically understand anything, but will get direct knowledge by intuitions. Since this kośa is the most subtle of all, it helps one to tap into cosmos, into prakriti. Such a yogī is indeed rare and does little thinking. Mind remains blank for most of the time unless one is doing concrete thinking or is fully concentrated in any work. In general, a yogī may stay detached and be a sākshi (witness) of all kośa-s including ānandamaya kośa. Even if one is in ānandamaya kośa while doing work, no harm is done. One feels Īśvara is very near to him or her.

Monday, October 23, 2017

This article was difficult to format in blogger. Hence a pdf is created. Article is 8 pages long.

This article explains the process of manifestation of the world and 24 cosmic principles which are described in saṃkhya philosophy of the great kapila muni. Ādi Śankara Bhagavadpāda in this prakaraṇa grantha 'tatva bodha' has explained the basic terminology of common terms used in vedānta like what is mind, what is ātman, etc. He also explains 5 bodies and then moves on the topic of panchikaraṇam which is manifestation of the world and 24 cosmic principles from māyā, Brahman's power.

Panchiparaṇam is difficult to understand for beginners. In am attempt to make it easy to understand various charts are created. Charts are created using an online service draw.io which is connected to Gōgle Drive. You can save the file in google drive and open it from google drive.

All charts, their png versions in transparent and white background are also stored in google drive. Original article in odt and docx format along with pdf format is also stored.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Wishing
You & Your Family

Happy
Deepavali and

Happy New Year Vikram Samvat 2074

On the auspicious occasion of Deepavali and New Year, let us discuss ...

Our Social Journey So far ...

After independence (in 1947), we have have progressed decade by decade. Since 70 years, with each decade, there has been increase in per-capita income, the standard of living has rising constantly, people below poverty line are now in lower middle class or even higher middle class, more people are getting educated, still crime rate in increasing. Why? Has anybody thought on this issue? How many debates happen in main stream media on this topic? What is the mental condition of such people who would rape an innocent women or even rape own niece or daughter or murder innocent men. Mind and emotions are never focused. If a child gets mental and emotional nurturing s/he will be emotionally stable. The quality to restrain and not to cross the boundary is also helpful in controlling lower animal nature. Traditional education system puts a lots of focus on mental and emotional moulding of young minds. Traditional method of teachings focuses on holistic health, from physical, emotional, mental and spiritual perspective.

The illusion of equality ...

Progressive Hindus think that men an women are equal. In reality, no two human beings are equal. We are all unique. We all have good qualities and bad qualities. Some qualities are in greater percentage than others and so they define the character of person. Society is made up of good people and bad people or better people with good and bad qualities and with different levels of understanding and rational thinking power. Our śāṣtra-s teach us to increase good qualities by focusing on mental, emotional and physical actions that nurture these qualities and control negative qualities by not letting them control your thoughts and actions and by not feeding them, but staying neutral when they try to show their strength and try to get control of mind. Do not let yourself get dragged into any action triggered by negative quality like anger, irritation, greed, etc.

Modern education system and lifestyle is incomplete ...

In today’s material world, money is given prime importance and so people often apply for jobs that do not suit their nature. The result is increase in stress and burden as the job does not suit your nature. Such a person may not be able to enjoy his life and may not give 100 % in work. Today’s education system may increase intellect, but does not focus on emotional bonding. So the emotional need is not fulfilled and a person feels loneliness. People may rush to help a stranger in trouble, but do not take care of their old parents. If modern society was so caring, there would not have been old age homes, which is a western concept. There is little moral teaching by parents especially via stories from panchatantra and purāṇa-s. This is true if both father and mother are both working professionals. The golden teachings of ‘restrain’, ‘middle way’, ‘anything in excess is poison’ are not taught. So child does not know how to control emotions and may act in an objectionable way. Story-teaching of morality and ethics is missing these days in an era of social media, where the sentiment (trends) lasts just one day and ‘likes’ are easily evaporated from our memory. The addictive social media eats up 20-30 % time if we keep yourselves involved for too long. Alas, if we could devote 20-30 % in story-teaching and in shaping our kid’s mind.

Materialists taking in charge of reformation of dharma ...

We have seen that the modern education system and money centric life is not enough to cater all needs – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Modern educational system and way of living is incomplete. Now we will take few prominent objections of modern progressive Hindus and other rationalists like -

There should be equal rights of all castes.

Men an women should have equal rights.

Untouchability is unacceptable.

Talking on untouchability, they say that it is logically incorrect. They say, “I am a Brahmin by birth, let me touch a sūdra and see what happens”. They demonstrate it practically and conclude - “See nothing happens, am I impure. By giving respect to a sūdra how can I become impure. This is irrational”

On equal rights for women, recently, there is a debate whether women should be allowed to enter into Shabarimala temple and in Shani Dham in Shani Singanapur, near Shirdi. It is another point that in 6-8 temples of India, men are not allowed to enter inner sanctum sanctorium. However, men never complain.

These days, the definition of feminism has changed. Earlier feminism stood for ‘equality of men and women’. Both should have equal respect and equal opportunity. This looks true and any normal person, including the author, would agree. However, the current definition of feminism is changed. It is now reduced to men bashing and crying victim card. The temple issue seems to be trigged by such people. Ironically, people who themselves are not devout Hindus or Muslims will fight for womens rights. Restriction on entry of women in Haji Ali dargah is another issue. Even communists, who are atheists are supporting such movements to break the social integrity. Material ists and communists have taken incharge of reformation of our dharma.

Coming back to temple issue, prima-facie, these arguments seem very logical. Both temples have restrictions on women entering inner sanctum. While Shabarimala temple disallows women between age group of 10-50 years, Shani Temple allows women to enter into sanctum, but not inner sanctum and offer abhishekam of oil and disallows women to touch the idol. The reason centers around a point that when menstruation cycle is active in women i.e. when they have periods, there is negativity in them and so they are not allowed to enter into temple. The counter argument by rationalists is that it is a natural process which is created by God and so it does not cause any harm.

Though there are logical explanations available, (which are given in appendix later on after the series is over,) we will focus on a different aspect which is neglected by everyone whenever there is any kind of logical objection of customs and rituals.

The major flaw ...

There is one major flaw in the argument of rationalists. This flaw is common answer to all the accusations. This is not to say that there is no evil in the society, but today this article will focus on something that is ignored for long by rationalists, social workers, human rights activitists, feminists an even progressive Hindus.

One factor which is not taken into consideration is that the sanātana dharma accepts the existence of five bodies and not just one body i.e. physical body. As per Sanātana dharma, we have five bodies. All the arguments of rationalists including untouchability is done taking into consideration only one body – physical body which is called as annamaya kosha.

If we take take only physical body as the factor to be considered for examination and verification of injunction of shāstra-s, then all the rationalist thinkers are correct on above discussed issues.

Irrational unverified approach by rationalists ...

However, as said earlier, we do not have just one body. We talk about dharma, we believe in God, we want to visit temples, but do we accept the existence of five bodies? For temple worship we have injunctions laid down by āgama shāstra-s. Do we believe in our śāṣtra-s? Has any rationalist accepted this fact? Do we know what happens to other four bodies when women have active period enters into inner santum and when a practising brahmin touches a non-believer or a shūdra? No, we do not take other four bodies into consideration which is a hugh flaw. That which is in different dimension cannot be verified with materialistic science and it’s instruments. To an extend only by inference one can conclude, but to be 100 % sure, one has to experience all five bodies personally and understand their working.

Lets know a bit about ourselves ...

Our rishi-s have done a lot of research on this matter. We must atleast know the basics of the functions that other bodies perform.

In texts like Vivekachūḍāmaṇi, Tatva bodha and Māṇḍukya kārikā (3.11) refer to Panchakoshas (5 bodies) which are described in the Ānandvalli or Brahmānandavalli of Taittirīya Upanishad. Tatva bodha gives detailed explanation of panchikaraṇa prakriyā i.e. theory of manifestation of universe from five great elements - earth, water, fire, are and space (ākaśa) and 24 tatva-s of sānkhya. These texts talk about creation of the world and composition of our five bodies known as kosha-s. It is called as panchikaraṇaṃ prakriyā.

Vijñānamaya kośa – causal body (where the ego resides), related to buddhi i.e. intellect, which takes decision. Related to Ego and intellect. This body does not die until one reaches moksha. Hence, after death of physical body, we take our saṃskara-s, our nature along into the new body.

Ānandamaya kośa – Body of Bliss, Body of Intuitions, Body of ignorance. - All past vāsanā-s i.e. desires and fruits of karma-s are present in this body. Theosophists call these as akashic records. This body too does not die until moksha.

Except annamaya kośa, each of the kośa-s have chakra-s or psychic energy centers and 72,000 nāḍī-s or psychic nerve centers. Panchikaraṇaṃ prakriya will be taken up later in separate series.

Let us understand the importance and working of these bodies.

1. Annamaya kośa or Physical Body

This body depends upon food for survival. It is the first body that is directly exposed to material world that we see and experience. Mind experiences this world through senses.

2. Other four bodies

Prāṇamaya kośa is the bridge between annamaya kośa and manomaya kośa. Prāṇamaya kośa has energy counter parts of all internal organs. It also has it’s own nerve network. Each major organ has it’s own chakra. Chakra or a wheel is said to be constantly in spinning motion. One time, it absorbs positive fresh energy and another time in reverse direction it throws away negative used up energy which it supplied to energy counterpart of an organ. There are other chakra-s which do not directly stand on it organ or gland, but are connected to a central nerve or nāḍī known as suṣumṇā nāḍī. Out of many chakra-s connected to this nāḍī, seven are major chakra-s as they are connected with seven loka-s or kingdoms like svarga (heaven), etc.

When a body gets infected or gets sick, it’s corresponding energy counterpart also gets contaminated or gets impure. It is this contamination that is talked about during untouchability. Though the author does not support untouchability, as Parāśara smriti says that in kalyuga one gets impure by own’s sins only. However this factor is also to be counted.

Whenever we enter into any area, all five bodies get affected by it.

If the place is decent, clean and attractive, mind via senses gets attracted to it.

If vibrations are positive and spiritual, then prāṇamaya kośa which gets in tune with vibrations absorb these vibrations, be it they are good or bad. If they are good, it is reflected in increase in size of this kośa and it’s chakra-s. If energy is negative, it is reverse effect and one feels unconfortable and wishes to leave the place as early as possible.

Similarly, every place has some emotions and thoughts floating in it. manomaya kośa tunes with these thoughts and emotions. The whole body experiences emotions and thoughts. If emotions are positive, the body begins to radiate brightly. Similarly thoughts gets embedded in it too and may remained stored in this body. Thoughts of great saints are so strong that in devout disciple and devotee, they stay for life time.

Similarly vijñānamaya and ānandamā kośa too absorb vibrations of that place. Only advanced sādhaka-s know their functioning. It is not revealed to general public. Ānandamaya kośa may pass on intuitions about the place and give a warning if it is bad for us.

All these bodies vibrate at a particular frequency and they absorb vibrations close to the frequency they vibrate with. They are all in different dimensions.

Some info on death ...

After death of physical body i.e. annamayakośa, energy body or prāṇamayakosa stays for some time as long as there is physical body. After physical body is destroyed, energy body will also die. Since manomayakośa is connected with prāṇamaya kośa and manomaya is connected with vijñānamaya and vijñānamaya with ānandamaya all other kośa-s are also stuck up with physical body. Until there is physical body, the soul may get attacted to old body and may wish to return back to it. If someone strongly and constantly recalls the lost ones, the soul will find it difficult to continue it’s journey and will get pulled back to this world. This is the reason why we burn the body. So that the soul does not get attracted to it again. After 13 days of rituals, higher bodies get detached from annamaya and prāṇamaya kośa-s and can continue their spiritual journey. This is another reason why after 13 days, we must not have the photo or strictly any of the belongings of our ancestors as it may be a medium thoruhg which they can get attracted to this world again. They are in pain when they cannot continue their spiritual journey. Keeping photo of a realised saint is allowed as they are one with God and so God expresses or manifests through them.

The exception ...

In case of saints, jñānī-s, siddha-s or highly developed yogī-s like Bhagavān Buddha, Ādi Śankara, their bodies are not cremented i.e. burned but are buried or are offered to holy river Ganga. Even if the body is burned, their ashes are preserved.

This change in custom is due to the fact that after intense tapas (meditation), their all 5 bodies are greatly purified. The one who approaches such a saint will feel inner transformation as the vibrations of seeker’s bodies will get transformed in the presence of extrememly pure vibraitons of five bodies of a saint. Aperson may fēl s/he is reborn in the presence of saints. They may find a new thought or emotional fulfillment in the presence of a saint. Energy body is so strong that one nearby may get instantly healed. Sue to intense meditation, the vibrations have also entered into the physical body. There are some materials like metals (Copper, Brass, mercury and panchadhatū), Quartz Crystals (sphatika, used making in Śivalinga for home temple) and natural stones like the black stone used as Śāligram (symbol of Bhagavān Viṣṇu). In panchadeva pūjā i.e. panchāyatna pūjā, five stones of five rivers are worshipped as formless representations of five deities - Gaṇeśa, Śiva, Śakti, Viṣṇu and Sūrya deva). Ashes of human bones are also known to retain energy or prāṇa Śakti. Great Yogī-s can store energy in bones, blood and Hair. Their internal organs are highly charged with prāṇa śakti. This is the reason why yogī-s are not allowed to donate blood or organs and ar not allowed to cut hair.

So when a yogī dies, the body is retained, as, if physical body is retained, energy body, which is tied to it is also retained. A samādhi is constructed at a suitable place. Such a place becomes pure in the presence of highly charged body. It becomes a place of pilgrimage. Souls who offer obediences to this samādhi are immensey benifitted by being inside an aura (prāṇamaya kośa) of such a great saint.

While aura or prāṇamaya kośa of an average person is about 4-6 inches (6 angulā-s as mentioned in Yoga Yajñavālkya, higly revered by a great Yogī T. Kriṣṇmāchārya jī - T. Krishnamacharya), the size of aura of great yogī may be several kilometers. In case of average person other higher bodies are underdeveloped, but in case of yogī-s they are hugh, have concrete thoughts and lofty emotions.

The emotions and thoughts of a yogī vibrate in a place where s/he has meditated for long period or has stayed for long time. Even if a yogī has left the place, still the emotions and thoughts are retained for along time for many years. If God wishes, it may stay for hundreds of years, as God himself manifests through yogī-s and Jñānī-s. Hence samādhi is chosen to be built at such places like a meditation cave, room or at an āśrama (ashram). If a portion of ashes are taken to some place and are concetrated there, that place too becomes pure.

More info on death ...

Now we know that the physical body and energy body dies after some time the soul leaves the body. Mental body or manomaya kośa lives in some world like svarga (heaven) or narka (Hell). There are seven types of svarga-s and narka-s. Depending upon the amount of pāpa (sin) or pūṇya (merits), Iśvara may make the jīva (soul) stay some some time. (Life after death, rewards and punishments, etc are described in garuḍa purāṇa.) Here, manomaya kośa experiences the fruits of karma. It cannot escape the punishment or reward. It has to pass through. It keeps experiencing karma-phala (fruits of karma) until they extinguish. It is by passing through experiences that manomaya kośa dies. Jīva does not have any choice of doing karma. It can only experience it i.e. have a bhoga. Hence all these kingdomes known as yonī-s are called as bhoga-yogī-s. Only pruthvi oe life of earth is called as karma bhumi or land of action, there Īshvara has given us choice by giving us ‘free will’.

Now, only two kośa-s are left – casual body and body of bliss or ignorance. Both these bodies are indestructible until moksha. When jīva leaves physical body, Bhagavān in Gītā chapter 15 says that, ‘mind along with five senses travels to another body’. Here mind is referred as ‘antakaraṇa’, which resides in vijñānamaya kośa. After extinguishing all the ripe fruits of karma, the soul again takes birth on earth and the cycle continues until one attains moksha, which is the goal of every living being.

Since the soul retains all the experiences and all the actions of the life are recorded. Fruits of actions are decided. Most fruits happen in this life only for example results of exams we appear or the profit or loss in business. Howeve, some fruits may not ripe in this life. When they ripe, we are born with another body and must pass through experiences that extinguish those riped-fruits. This is pre-determined destiny. Hence not everything happens our way.

Respect our ancestors ...

Our rishi-s and āchārya-s have done intense study of higher bodies. Our rishi-s were undoubtedly selfess in their motives. All they wanted is our progress on the spiritual path and attain the immortal state of consciousness that they have attained and gained fulfilllment of their lives. Rishi-s created rules created or advocated certain disciplines, keeping in mind the behaviour of all five bodies and not just one. Hence sanātana dharma is holistic in approach which takes into account all actions from simplest daya-2-day activities to moksha, which is eternal freedom from life an death and merging in intimate presence of God-consciousness. Ancient rishi-s studied all 5 bodies because they are important for our spiritual progress and to attain all-round development.

Question but not blindly ...

We must follow the holistic soul nurturing teachings of saints. However, in this prcess, it is human nature to have oubts. We must raise sincere questions so that we can gain clarity. Our eucation system is based on question-answer format. If there is no question, then there can be no answer. Hence raise doubts, but they shoul be sincere an not just raised out of superficial reaing or out of curiosity. With passage of time, evils have creeped into our cuslture an are are not immune to the effects of kalyuga. We must act responsibly and evil practices which does not find sanction in śāstra-s must be rejected strongly, however, it is also true that there is a bais against sanātana dharma by some vested interest groups.

Do not accept things blinly, but we must first have faith in our ancestors, our culture, we must be prou of them. At the same time, we must keep up with chanigng times. We must also opposite injustice, but let us be careful not to fall in trap of desructive agenda of self-appointed so-called activitsts an rational thinkers.

Know Our Culture, Be Proud Of It’s Richness

If time permits, in the comming part of the series, we will try to understand panchikaraṇa prakriyā. Till then, try to read tatva bodha.